Magnetic propulsion method and mechanism using magnetic field trapping superconductors

ABSTRACT

A method for the creation of propulsive force and a mechanism for implementing the method comprising a magnet ( 3 ), like a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid, located at the output of a mechanism ( 2 ) inside which the propulsive force is developed and whose solid parts are those of a hydrodynamic machine made of a superconductor, like a type II superconductor, e.g. a superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O with high magnetic field trapping ability. The magnetic field generated by the interaction of magnet ( 3 ) with mechanism ( 2 ) acts in the form of pressure on mechanism ( 2 ) thereby creating the intended propulsion. Mechanism ( 2 ) may be a converging nozzle made from a superconductor ( 1 ), which conjointly with the magnet ( 3 ) act as self-propulsion mechanism with direction towards the converging area. The propulsive force being developed may be used for the propulsion required in any machine or vehicle, as well as in the production of energy.

1. INTRODUCTION

Object of the present invention is the description of a method for the development of a propulsive thrust as well as of embodying mechanisms in the form of magnetic machines, consisting of:

-   -   1.1 A magnet like a superconductive solenoid.     -   1.2 A shielding which is manufactured from a superconductor         having high magnetic field trapping capacity, like the         superconductor II type (like the superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O),         which shielding is configured in such a way that, due to its         interaction with said magnet, the magnetic flux lines are the         same with the flux lines of a hydrodynamic machine having the         same shielding, where the magnetic field acts on the shielding         in the form of a pressure which develops the intended         propulsion.

The superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O is able to trap magnetic fields of the size of 10 T (Melt-processed Sm—Ba—Cu—O superconductors trapping strong magnetic field H. Ikuta et al 1998 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 11 1345-1347).

The development of propulsive thrust by means of a magnetic field is known in the art by publications like:

-   -   H. Johnson, 1995. “Magnetic Propulsion System”. U.S. Pat. No.         5,402,021     -   M. Brady, 2004. “Permanent Magnet Machine (Perendev)”. WO         2006/045333     -   Kambe, Yoshitaka (JP)—TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD (JP). EP0748033

In the first two inventions it does not take place the use of superconductors, not being known thus how the limits of classic physics can be surpassed. It is stressed that Maxwell equations do not apply inside the superconductors, which play a significant role in the present invention.

In the third invention are used superconductors. However, it is not possible on the basis of this invention to take place self propulsion, which is achieved by the present invention. The present invention constitutes the magnetic equivalent, in general, of a hydrodynamic machine manufactured from a superconductor, which is not claimed in the third invention. Particularly, forces are being developed in the claimed mechanisms due to the convergence of the flow, a fact which also does not take place in the third mentioned invention. The developed force according to the present invention may be used in the propulsive thrust required for any machine or vehicle, as well as in the production of energy.

2. DRAWINGS

The present invention will be clearly understood by means of the following drawings:

FIG. 1

In this figure is presented the development of forces due to the motion of the uncompressed fluid and due to the magnetic field around the flux shielding.

FIG. 2

In this figure is presented a propulsive thrust development arrangement by means of a magnet and a converging nozzle made of superconductor, wherein the magnetic field acts on the nozzle shielding in the form of pressure which creates the intended propulsion.

FIG. 3

This figure constitutes an alternative arrangement of FIG. 2, having a different connection between the magnet and the converging nozzle.

FIG. 4

In this figure it is presented a magnetic motor which is manufactured from a superconductive material and a magnet creating a magnetic field, which achieves the motion of the magnetic motor by acting on the magnetic field shielding in the form of a pressure.

3. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

On the basis of the magnetic field classical theory (Quick Field, Finite Element Systems, User's Guide Version 5.3—Terra Analysis Ltd—2005) the force exerted on a closed surface S is:

$\begin{matrix} {F = {\frac{1}{2}{\oint_{S}{\int{\left\lbrack {{H\left( {n \cdot B} \right)} + {B\left( {n \cdot H} \right)} - {n\left( {H \cdot B} \right)}} \right\rbrack {S}}}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

Where H is magnetic field intensity, B is the flux density, n is the perpendicular vector to the surface S under consideration, which faces outwardly from it.

We define as shielding in the frame of the present invention, the boundary of a solid body in the magnetic field, the magnetic permeability of which is equal to zero. Such a body does not allow the magnetic field to come into and break through it.

Practically, the superconductors function as a magnetic field shielding, but they lose their properties when the magnetic field becomes strong. With this problem are confronted the superconductors of type II which have high magnetic field trapping ability, like the superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O.

Due to equation (1), we have that the force exerted on a magnetic field shielding, where n·B=0 and n·H=0, will be equal to:

$\begin{matrix} {F = {{- \frac{1}{2}}{\oint_{S}{\int{{n\left( {H \cdot B} \right)}{S}}}}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

It means that the force exerted on an elementary section dS will be equal to:

$\begin{matrix} {{F} = {{- \frac{1}{2}}{n\left( {H \cdot B} \right)}{S}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

Consequently, a magnetic field with properties H and B in the area of an element dS of a shielding of the magnetic field acts in the form of a pressure on the element p, such as:

$\begin{matrix} {p = {\frac{F}{S} = {{\frac{1}{2}\left( {H \cdot B} \right)} = {\frac{1}{2\mu_{0}}B^{2}}}}} & (4) \end{matrix}$

This indicates that, as it is already said, by means of a magnet and a magnetic field shielding it is possible to create magnetic machines, the propulsive force of which is the pressure of equation (4)

For a steady state magnetic and incompressible flow field the same equations are valid i.e.:

Δψ=0, B=∇ψ and Δφ=0, V=∇φ  (5)

Where, ψ,φ the magnetic and the flow field potential.

Due to the fact that the differential equation of the magnetic field is the same with that of the incompressible fluid, it results that, the same machine, when it is manufactured from a material behaving as a magnetic field shielding, can behave either as a magnetic machine by means of a magnet or as a hydrodynamic machine. This helps in the creation of magnetic machines on the basis of the knowledge we have on the hydrodynamic machines.

In the case where the magnetic machine is a converging nozzle like the element (2) of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 then the following happen:

1. The magnetic field is created by the magnet (3) and has flux lines inside the nozzle (2) similar to those of an incompressible fluid which flows through the same nozzle, given that the superconductor (1) functions as a magnetic field shielding.

2. The developing force has opposite direction to that of the incompressible fluid nozzle force with the same flux lines. According to what is aforementioned, the magnetic force dF on an element ds acts as pressure and this creates the propulsion force F.

More particularly, the following are applicable:

According to fluid mechanics a convergent nozzle with a propeller or a MHD pump connected at its smaller section moves towards the bigger section when the system works. We have a similar magnetic system when a magnet stands for the pump and the convergent nozzle is made from a material with μ=0. Such a material can be a superconductor of type I or II working on the basis of the Meissner Effect. Superconductors I cannot work under a high value of B, therefore superconductors II are preferred. Superconductors II below a critical temperature and field intensity can trap the magnetic field imposed through vortex current pinning force created canceling the field. Such a material behaves as a solid limit of the magnetic field i.e. as a solid body that is not penetrated by the magnetic field. On the basis of the classical theory of magnetic fields the force on a closed surface S is given by Eq. (1)

Therefore, the force on the nozzle under discussion will be:

$\begin{matrix} {{{F \cong {\frac{n_{\alpha}}{2\mu_{0}}\left( {{A_{\alpha}B_{\alpha}^{2}} - {A_{\gamma}B_{\gamma}^{2}}} \right)}} = {\frac{\Phi \; n_{\alpha}}{2\mu_{0}}\left( {B_{\alpha} - \beta_{\gamma}} \right)}},} & (6) \end{matrix}$

Where, α,γ are the smaller and the bigger section (see FIG. 2 or FIG. 3), CD the magnetic flow, and A the cross sectional area. The above is a simulation of the reaction between the magnetic field and the shielding (2) made from the superconductor (1). In reality near the shielding of a magnetic field, there is a more complicated situation affected by quantum phenomena related to flux trapping. We notice that the force created is opposite to the one of hydro dynamically similar nozzle. This is due to the fact that the magnetic field (B) acts as a pressure on the magnetic field shielding in contrast to the fluid where velocity (V) affects the pressure according to Bernoulli's equation. Thus on a superconductor II wing within a magnetic field we will have a thrust opposite to the one of a wing within an incompressible fluid flow (see FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 b). Due to the similarity mentioned it is expected that the magnetic nozzle does work since it is sure that its hydro dynamically similar nozzle works.

The possible violation of the classical principles of physics is due to the use of superconductors, which do not obey to the Maxwell equations expressing it (the equations of the electric field are in force, but not these of the magnetic field).

Taking into consideration the above mentioned we notice that in FIG. 4, which depicts a pump (2) manufactured from a superconductor with high magnetic field trapping capability (1), like one belonging to the superconductor II group, e.g. the superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O, with the aid of the magnet (3) it will be created a magnetic flux similar to the flow of an incompressible fluid pump. The problem however is, which is the direction of the forces exerted on the vanes of the rotor (6) of the hydrodynamic pump, or of the similar, in the sense of the flux, magnetic machine. Referring to the hydrodynamic pump, the developing forces on the rotor (6) have a direction opposite to the convergence of the flow. Thus, the forces on the magnetic machine vanes are expected to be of opposite direction in relation to the corresponding force of the incompressible fluid pump. This means that this magnetic machine can work as a magnetic motor which operates under no load conditions with the aid of the developing magnetic field. The same magnetic motor can also move an incompressible fluid creating a high total pressure flow at the outlet, which in turn by means of a turbine outputs useful energy. When the fluid is a liquid He, then it is achieved simultaneously the cooling object also.

Remarks:

1. The systems of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 have to be under the minimum critical temperature T_(C1), for a given magnetic field intensity H_(C1) (Melt-processed Sm—Ba—Cu—O superconductors trapping strong magnetic field H. Ikuta et al 1998 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 11 1345-1347), in order the superconductor (1) is able to work properly.

It is possible either by immersion of the whole system in liquid He, or by forced circulation of liquid He. The system can operate even with less efficiency—due to magnetic field leakage—inside the critical temperature limits T_(C1), T_(C2), which correspond to the critical field strengths H_(C1), H_(C2) (Critical temperatures and critical fields, Type II Superconductors, Wikipedia.).

2. The magnet (3) may be either a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid for which is required an energy supply, which is not depicted in the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, because this energy supply by itself is not considered to be an inventive step of the present invention. It has to be stressed that according to the available references the use of the magnetic field trapping superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O allows the operation of the system in the area of the superconductor (1) up to the level of 10 T.

Regarding the use of superconductive wire for the manufacturing of the “solenoid type” magnet (3), it is well known from the existing references that there are already in operation superconductive solenoids with magnetic fields of 14 T size (hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/AnnaWoo.shtml).

3. The various sizes of the magnetic fields of the present invention may be calculated on the basis of: Quick Field, Finite Element Systems, User's Guide Version 5.3—Terra Analysis Ltd (2005).

4. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to describe a method for the development of a propulsive force by creating a magnetic field with the aid of a magnet, like a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid (3) and of a mechanism (2), the solid parts of which are those of a hydrodynamic machine manufactured from superconductive material (1), like a superconductor of the type II, e.g. the superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O with high magnetic field trapping ability, where the material (1) behaves as a shielding of the magnetic field resulting from the interaction of the elements (2) and (3), where said magnetic field acts in the form of a pressure on the shielding (1), creating thus the aimed propulsion.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the hydrodynamic machine of the generally described method is a converging nozzle. In FIG. 2 is depicted an arrangement for developing a propulsive thrust by means of a converging nozzle (2) made of superconductive material (1) with high magnetic field trapping ability, said material acting as a shielding of the magnetic field that is created in junction by the mechanism (2) and the magnet (3), the latter being either a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid. The superconductor (1) itself can be used as a permanent magnet in the form of a plug which together with the converging nozzle (2) constitute a unified whole and which plug has been pre-magnetized. The magnet (3) is fixed on the nozzle (2) by means of the coupling (4) and the clamping bolts (5), which may be made of a low magnetic permeability material, like Al, according to the arrangement of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The said magnetic field acts on the nozzle—shielding in the form of a pressure which creates the aimed propulsion at the convergence direction. In the case where the developing forces are high it is possible to reinforce the superconductor (1) with low permeability material, like Al. The mechanism of this preferred embodiment, when it is fixed in constant distance from a shaft, develops torque and may be used as an energy production mechanism.

According to a second embodiment, the generally mentioned method may be applied according to the arrangement of FIG. 4. In this figure it is depicted a magnetic motor consisting of a mechanism (2) the solid parts of which are those of a hydrodynamic pump which is made of a superconductive material (1) with high magnetic field trapping ability and a superconductive solenoid (3) which jointly with the mechanism (2) creates a magnetic field, which acting in the form of pressure on the shielding (1) achieves the motion of the magnetic motor, which, operating also as a pump, causes the circulation of a cooling fluid, like the liquid Helium (He). The useful energy is produced partially by a turbine having as working medium the said cooling fluid, while the rest energy is produced directly from the shaft (7). In the case where the developing forces are high, we can reinforce the superconductor (1) with a low magnetic permeability material, like Al. 

1. A method for the creation of propulsive force developing magnetic machines, consisting in: The creation of a magnetic field by a magnet (3) The creation of a mechanism (2) in which a propulsive force is developed and the solid parts of which are those of a hydrodynamic machine made of a superconductor (1), like a type II semiconductor, e.g. the Sm—Ba—Cu—O semiconductor, having a high magnetic field trapping ability, where the magnetic field created by the interaction of the magnet (3) with the mechanism (2), at the output of which the magnet (3) is connected, acts in the form of pressure on the mechanism (2) creating the aimed propulsion. The creation of cooling conditions for the maintenance of superconductive conditions.
 2. A mechanism embodying the method of claim 1, where the mechanism (2) is a converging nozzle made of a superconductor (1), like a type II superconductor, e.g. the superconductor Sm—Ba—Cu—O, having a high magnetic field trapping capacity, said nozzle conjointly with a magnet, like a permanent magnet or a superconductive solenoid, function as self-propulsion mechanism with a direction towards the converging area and where the cooling media are the commonly used ones, like the immersion of the whole mechanism in a container filled with liquid Helium, with or without forced circulation.
 3. A mechanism embodying the method of claim 1, where the mechanism (2) is a hydrodynamic pump made of a superconductor (1), said mechanism conjointly with a magnet, like a superconductive solenoid (3), operate as a magnetic motor, where the cooling conditions are created by the same pump which causes the circulation of the cooling fluid, like the liquid Helium, and where the hydraulic energy derived by the operation of the pump is given out by means of a turbine, with the working medium being the cooling fluid itself. 